own, Which were less fleet, before them. Now, ye chiefs And leaders of the Achaians, judge between This man and me, and judge impartially, Lest that some warrior of the Greeks should say That Menelaus, having overcome Antilochus by falsehood, led away The mare a prize; for his were slower steeds, But he the mightier man in feats of arms. Nay, I myself will judge; and none of all The Greeks will censure me, for what I do Will be but just. Antilochus, step forth, Illustrious as thou art, and in due form, Standing before thy horses and thy car, And taking in thy hand the pliant scourge Which thou just now hast wielded, touch thy steeds, And swear by Neptune, whose embrace surrounds The earth, that thou hast wittingly employed No stratagem to break my chariot’s speed.”
And thus discreet Antilochus replied: “Have patience with me: I am younger far Than thou, King Menelaus; thou art both My elder and my better. Thou dost know The faults to which the young are ever prone; The will is quick to act, the judgment weak. Bear with me then. The mare which I received I cheerfully make over to